Jewish Heritage Europe

Spain: Were they medieval synagogues (or not)? Investigations regarding buildings in the towns of Utrera and Inca (Mallorca).

This anonymous, early 15th century Catalan painting "Christ Among the Doctors" shows what the bimah in the medieval Hijar synagogue probably looked like. The painting is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Investigations are under way in the Spanish town of Utrera to determine if the foundations of a medieval synagogue lie under a former pub in the city center. At the same time, on the island of Mallorca another building that … continue reading →

Ukraine: former fortress Great Synagogue in Lutsk, long used as a sports club, transferred to local Chabad

The “permanent free use” of the former fortress Great Synagogue in Lutsk, western Ukraine, has been transferred to the local Chabad community in the town. Dating from 1626-1628, the building, with its distinctive tower, has housed the Dynamo sports school … continue reading →

Poland: Now owned by the city, the former synagogue in Konin will be returned to dignified use as a cultural space

(JHE) — With overwhelming support from local citizens, authorities in the city of Konin are seeking funding to restore the town’s former synagogue and return it to dignified use as a cultural space. The city acquired the nearly 200-year-old building … continue reading →

Austria: Former Synagogue in St. Pölten to undergo €4 million restoration and redevelopment as a Jewish cultural center

St. Pölten former synagogue, now a cultural space and part of a research center

(JHE) — The magnificent domed former synagogue in St. Pölten, west of Vienna, will undergo a €4 million restoration and redevelopment as a Jewish cultural center with financing from the  Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) region and the St. Pölten municipality. According … continue reading →